03/08/2023
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Self-Portraits by Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890)
"I’d rather paint people’s eyes than cathedrals, for there’s something in the eyes that isn’t in the cathedral — although it’s solemn and although it’s impressive — to my mind the soul of a person, even if it’s a poor tramp or a girl from the streets, is more interesting." — To Theo. Antwerp, 19 December 1885. Letter 549 https://bit.ly/2kWBc0g
"And — my plan for my life is to make paintings and drawings, as many and as well as I can — then, when my life is over, I hope to depart in no other way than looking back with love and wistfulness and thinking, oh paintings that I would have made!" — Nieuw-Amsterdam, 11 November 1883. Letter 405 https://bit.ly/2u5VItT
"I don’t know the future, Theo — but — I do know the eternal law that everything changes — think back 10 years and things were different, the conditions, the mood of the people, everything in short. And 10 years on, a great deal is bound to have changed again.
But doing something endures — and one doesn’t easily regret having done something. The more active the better, and I’d rather fail than sit idle." — Nuenen, 14 July 1885. Letter 515 https://bit.ly/2n52RL6
"Since I’m now so occupied with myself, I’d also like to see if I can’t make my own portrait in writing. First I start by saying that to my mind the same person supplies material for very diverse portraits." — To his youngest sister, Wil. Arles, 16 - 20 June 1888. Letter 626 https://bit.ly/2iilyFS
"I myself still find photographs frightful and don’t like to have any, especially not of people whom I know and love.
These portraits, first, are faded more quickly than we ourselves, while the painted portrait remains for many generations. Besides, a painted portrait is a thing of feeling made with love or respect for the being represented."
— To his youngest sister, Wil. Saint-Rémy, 19 September 1889. Letter 804 https://bit.ly/21dMw1Y
"Thirty-nine of Van Gogh’s self-portraits remain, both drawings and paintings.
The majority of these were created in Paris, as Vincent practised using new, lighter hues and different painting techniques. Using yourself as the subject certainly has its advantages: it’s cheap and you always have access to a (patient) model.
Van Gogh’s ‘selfies’ reflect his development, both as an individual and as an artist." | Source: the Van Gogh Museum